436 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIOK8. [aNNO 1740. 



An amphitheatre, with its steps ; an equestrian statue, but all broken to pieces ; 

 a chariot and horses of brass, which have had the same fate ; a large brazen 

 dish, said to be found in a temple. They have also dug out many other 

 bronzes, with several statues and bas-relieves, which Sign. Gioseppe is now 

 restoring. There have been found likewise 8 rings, with their cornelians en- 

 graved, and a bracelet of gold. And they have already taken up about 30 or 

 more pieces of ancient painting, some of which are exceedingly beautiful. 



As soon as I arrived at Naples, Sign. Gioseppe met me, and carried me to 

 Portici. The first thing he showed me, was the pictures they had dug out, 

 such as were never seen in our days ; being finished to the highest pitch, 

 coloured to perfection, and as fresh as if they had been done but a monih 

 ago. 



Particularly one piece, 8 palms broad by Q high, the figures as large as the 

 life, representing Theseus after having killed the Minotaur, which is wonder- 

 fully fine. The figure of Theseus is naked and standing, which, in my opinion, 

 cannot be more properly resembled to any thing, than the Antinous of the 

 Belvidera, both for the attitude and air of the head. It is drawn and coloured 

 with astonishing elegance. The Greek boys, who are represented as returning 

 him thanks for their deliverance, seem, for their noble simplicity, the work of 

 Dominichino ; and the composition of the whole is worthy of Raphael. An- 

 other piece represents Chiron teaching Achilles to touch the lyre. Another 

 large one, like that of Theseus, the figures as large as the life ; but we could 

 not comprehend the design of it. There is a woman sitting, dressed in white, 

 with one hand resting on her head, adorned with a garland of flowers, and se- 

 veral deities, as they appear to be, in the air, with a black figure of Hercules 

 leaning on his club. This figure is not of a piece with the rest, which are really 

 prodigies of the pencil ; but yet it is a fine picture. Under the woman is a 

 deer, which gives suck to a child. This sitting figure, and the heads of those 

 whom I take to be divinities, are exquisitely drawn and coloured. 



Two other pieces of greater height than breadth, in which there are two 

 figures, half human and half fish, which fly in the air. Four landscapes, with 

 temples, and other buildings. Another figure, which seems to be Mercury, 

 with a child in his hand, delivering it to a woman sitting. A tyger, with a 

 boy upon it ; and another boy, who plays on a tympanum. With many 

 others. 



After having viewed all these things, which are already taken out, I went 

 down into the pit. The part where they are at work must have been a stupen- 

 dous building ; conjectured to have been an amphitheatre, by the circumference 

 of the walls, and the large steps, which are still preserved. But it is impossible 



